Microfluidizer processor m 110eh 30

The SLN preparation was carried out by applying a hot highpressure homogenization method. First, the lipid phase (10% w/w) comprising of different ratios r (% w/w) of tristearin and cocoa butter (10:0, 7.5:2.5, 5.0:5.0, 2.5:7.5, 0:10) was melted (at 90 °C) and then mixed with the hot (90 °C) emulsifier solution (90% w/w). In part of the experiments, 0.1% (w/w) β-carotene was added into the lipid phase, which resulted in a concentration of 0.01% (w/w) in the final SLN. Second, a course pre-emulsion was generated by using an Ultra-turrax (Labworld, Staufen, Germany) at 24,000 min -1 for 2 min. Third, a fine emulsion was formed by passing the pre-emulsion through a microfluidizer (Microfluidizer Processor M-110EH-30) equipped with a ceramic H10Z interaction chamber (diameter: 100 μm) (Microfluidics Corporation, Newton, MA, USA) four times at 500 bar. The microfluidizer was heated up prior to homogenization by cycling hot water (90 °C) through the machine to prevent crystallization during the procedure. Finally, the hot emulsion was cooled down in an ice bath and stored at 2 °C.